Best of Kalmar: An Audio Tour

Kalmar punches well above its weight for a small Swedish city. On this self-guided audio tour, you’ll find out how wars, royal power struggles, and sheer stubbornness shaped one of Scandinavia’s most strategically important cities. The tour starts by Kalmar’s old city wall, Gamla Stadsmuren, near Baronen shopping mall. You’ll climb onto the restored defensive ramparts for views over the water, and hear an introduction to the city’s turbulent history with Denmark. As you stroll through streets lined with small wooden houses that once sheltered craftsmen and traders, you’ll hear stories about the city’s poorest residents. You’ll also hear a few dramatic Swedish Game of Thrones stories from the 1600s, including a hunger battle in Kalmar. The tour ends at Kalmar Castle, a medieval fortress transformed into a Renaissance palace by the sons of King Gustav Vasa and Lithuanian-Polish Princess Katarina Jagiellon, and where you will hear a ghost story of a lady roaming its towers.

1. 1

   Gamla Stadsmuren

   Pass by

   Walk along Kalmar's restored medieval ramparts for sweeping views over the water. Discover how these ancient defences once stood between the city and centuries of Danish invasion.

2. 2

   Kalmar County Museum

   Pass by

   Explore one of Sweden's most impressive regional museums, home to thousands of artefacts recovered from the warship Kronan. Marvel at the dramatic story of Commander Creutz and the 800 men lost when the ship exploded and sank in 1676.

3. 3

   Stop 3

   Pass by

   Stroll past Scandinavia's only remaining washhouse from the 1800s, a hidden gem that most visitors walk straight past. Step inside to experience a rare piece of everyday history that tells the story of Kalmar's working-class residents.

4. 4

   Kalmar Cathedral

   Pass by

   Admire Sweden's largest Baroque cathedral, an imposing landmark at the heart of Kvarnholmen. Discover the curious secret beneath its floor, 81 graves that most visitors never know are there.

5. 5

   Gerdas Te & Kaffehandel

   Pass by

   Pass through the doors of this wonderfully old-fashioned tea and coffee shop, where time seems to have stood still. Enjoy browsing the extraordinary range of teas, coffees and treats in an atmosphere unlike any modern store.

6. 6

   Stop 6

   Pass by

   Explore a charming historic café tucked inside a maze-like building with crooked floors and vintage furnishings. Enjoy a traditional Swedish fika surrounded by rooms that feel unchanged for generations.

7. 7

   Stop 7

   Pass by

   Stroll through Kalmar's liveliest square, once the gathering point for soldiers answering the city's alarm bells. Enjoy the Vasabrunnen fountain, which tells the story of King Gustav Vasa, the father of modern Sweden.

8. 8

   Stop 8

   Pass by

   Admire this striking tower built between 1879 and 1900, a proud reminder of Kalmar's Victorian-era ambition. Pass by the nearby Kreugerska House, birthplace of the infamous "Match King" Ivar Kreuger, which was once physically rolled through the streets to save it.

9. 9

   Stop 9

   Pass by

   Stroll through this beautiful park and discover public art installations alongside the open pavilions of Kalmar Art Museum. Enjoy a peaceful approach to the castle with views across the water that have inspired visitors for centuries.

10. 10

    Kalmar Castle

    Pass by

    Marvel at one of Scandinavia's best-preserved medieval fortresses, dramatically transformed into a Renaissance palace in the 1600s. Explore its authentic royal chambers and listen out for the ghost of a lady said to still roam its towers.

• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.